Baptized in His Name, Given Power & Protection

**This should have been published before "How To Love Your Neighbor As Yourself". Sorry for the confusion!

King Jesus imparts His royal authority and power to His Wife when He gives her His Spirit and His Name. During the days of Moses, God revealed to His people how He would "baptize" them in His Name.

Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak. And hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain; my speech shall drop down as the dew, as the small rain on the tender plant, and as the showers on the grass; because I will proclaim the name of Jehovah and ascribe greatness to our God. (Deu 32:1-3 LITV - "Song of Moses")

God explained to His people through Moses that His "doctrine" or "teaching" would be like "rain", "dew", and "showers". All these are terms for water! Webster's definition of "baptism" is the application of water to a person. God intended to "baptize" His people with His Word by proclaiming His name to them.

And I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the Sea. And all were baptized to Moses in the cloud, and in the Sea, and all ate the same spiritual food. And all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank of the spiritual rock following, and that Rock was Christ. (1Co 10:1-4 LITV)

Under the protection of God's Spirit (the cloud), Moses led the children of Israel through the biggest obstacle (the Sea) that was in the way of their freedom and new life as a nation. With the power of God's Spirit upon Jesus, He led the way for our salvation and new life through His death on the cross!

And having been baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water. And, behold! The heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God coming down as a dove, and coming upon Him. (Mat 3:16 LITV)

But answering, Jesus said, You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup which I am about to drink, and to be baptized with the baptism with which I am to be baptized? They said to Him, We are able.
(Mat 20:22 LITV)

“Or are you ignorant that all who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also we should walk in newness of life. For if we have been joined together in the likeness of His death, so also shall we be in the resurrection,” (Rom 6:3-5 LITV)

In the authority that was given to Him by God, Jesus commanded His Disciples to "baptize" the people of all nations in God's name (see previous blog entry "Three make One") by teaching them to obey all of God's commandments.

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Mat 28:18-20 ESV)

Then he told them: Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world. Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned. (Mar 16:15-16 CEV)

Jesus, our Deliverer, came to save his Wife from three bondages: bondage of the soul (sin), bondage of the spirit (death), and bondage of the body (flesh). I believe a person is "baptized" when they know, believe, and have the faith to follow their Deliverer and they have the empowerment and protection to escape all of their bondages.

When we "baptize" a person in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, this is what we should teach and make fully known them:
1. how to know and love God
2. how to believe and have faith in Jesus
3. how the power of His Holy Spirit will protect and help them escape all the bondages in their life.

I have made your very being known to them-- Who you are and what you do-- And continue to make it known, So that your love for me Might be in them Exactly as I am in them. (Joh 17:26 MSG)

At that moment when a person believes and receives the love of Jesus into their heart, that is when they receive all that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit promises to give to them (see previous blog entries: "A Close Relationship").

For by grace you are saved, through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; (Eph 2:8 LITV)

For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2Ti 1:7 MKJV)

Showing them the "Way" brings them into covenant (marriage) with Jesus! This is just like when Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt. He led them out of bondage and into the wilderness in order to bring them into covenant (marriage) with God. The he led them to their promised land where their city was to be built - Jerusalem.

People of Jerusalem, open your gates! Repair the road to the city and clear it of stones; raise a banner to help the nations find their way. Here is what the LORD has said for all the earth to hear: "Soon I will come to save the city of Zion, and to reward you. Then you will be called, 'The LORD's Own People, The Ones He Rescued!' Your city will be known as a good place to live and a city full of people." (Isa 62:10-12 CEV)

“and I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that it is I, Jehovah, who call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.” (Isa 45:3-4 ASV)

We are to show all people of all nations the way to the land and nation of Israel and we are to open the gates to the city of Jerusalem, where the house of the Lord is - the heart and soul of God's Wife. This is where He wrote His name and this is where His light shines (see previous blog entry "A Close Relationship").

But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. (1Pe 2:9 CEV)

You are the light of the world. A city situated on a mountain cannot be hidden. (Mat 5:14 LITV)

With His Spirit and Name, we are given His power and protection to lead others in the Way by sharing His Word and showing His love to others.

"but you will receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you, and you will be witnesses of Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Act 1:8 LITV)

I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by your name, the name that you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one. (Joh 17:11 ISV)

Through faith you are being protected by God's power for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of time. (1Pe 1:5 ISV)

I have given them the glory that you gave me, so that they may be one, just as we are one. (Joh 17:22 ISV)

And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
(1Jo 3:23 MKJV)

So, if all believers have His soul of love, all are joined to His Spirit, all are members of His body, and all are baptized in His name, then we need to look at each other as one united person - the wife of Jesus. We are one and we need to love each other as God commanded - love your neighbor as yourself.

He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in darkness until now. (1Jo 2:9 MKJV)

Christ has given us this commandment: The person who loves God must also love other believers. (1Jo 4:21 GW)

He answered, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And you must love your neighbor as yourself." (Luk 10:27 ISV)

Love Your Neighbor#1 - No Hating, No Hurting, No Fighting

Loving your neighbor as yourself means:

I will not hate my neighbor or take vengeance upon him by devising evil against him or by causing harm to him.

You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you shall certainly reprove your neighbor, and not allow sin on him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am Jehovah.
(Lev 19:17-18 LITV)

Do not plan evil against your neighbor, since he lives securely by you. Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm. Do not be envious of the cruel man, and choose not among all his ways. (Pro 3:29-31 LITV)

Don't pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble. As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone. Don't take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God's anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, "I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord." (Rom 12:17-19 GW)

Do not be a friend of one who has a bad temper, and never keep company with a hothead, or you will learn his ways and set a trap for yourself. (Pro 22:24-25 GW)

The beginning of strife is like letting out water; therefore leave off fighting, before it breaks out. (Pro 17:14 MKJV)

Remember this, my dear friends! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Human anger does not achieve God's righteous purpose.
(Jam 1:19-20 GNB)

Do not murder. (Exo 20:13 CEV)

You have heard that it was said to the ancients: "Do not commit murder!" And, Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the Judgment.(Ex. 20:13; Deut. 5:17) But I say to you, Everyone who is angry with his brother without cause shall be liable to the Judgment. And whoever says to his brother, Raca, shall be liable to the sanhedrin; but whoever says, Fool! shall be liable to be thrown into the fire of Hell. (Mat 5:21-22 LITV)

GOD's curse on anyone who kills his neighbor in secret. All respond: Yes. Absolutely. GOD's curse on anyone who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person. All respond: Yes. Absolutely.
(Deu 27:24-25 MSG)

You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor" and hate your enemy; (Lev. 19:18) but I say to you, Love your enemies; bless those cursing you, do well to those hating you; and pray for those abusing and persecuting you, so that you may become sons of your Father in Heaven. Because He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust. (Mat 5:43-45 LITV)

LORD, who may enter your Temple? Who may worship on Zion, your sacred hill? Those who obey God in everything and always do what is right, whose words are true and sincere, and who do not slander others. They do no wrong to their friends nor spread rumors about their neighbors. (Psa 15:1-3 GNB)

Webster’s dictionary defines a neighbor as “one who lives near another”.
If all believers are supposed to be living in the city of God, on the mountain where he wants to dwell and make His home, then why do we hate and devise evil against each other? Churches fight against other Churches instead of uniting together, Denominations and Ministries slander and spread rumors against other Denominations and Ministries instead of supporting and protecting each other, Christians hate other Christians instead of blessing and praying for one another – when will we stop disobeying and love our neighbors like God commands?

(See these previous blog entries to understand why we are neighbors: “A Close Relationship”, “A Nourished and Enlarged New Soul - Part2”, and “Baptized in His Name, Given Power & Protection”.)

How To Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

SECOND COMMANDMENT:

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

King Jesus commanded us to “love your neighbor as yourself”. Jesus desires a body and Bride that is joined together in love and like-minded, focused on fulfilling His purpose.

"Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart," (1Pe 1:22 ESV)

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (1Pe 3:8 ESV)

So, how do we really love our neighbor as our self?

My searches in the Bible on defining “loving my neighbor” revealed to me nine ways that show us how to love our neighbor as our self. I will use my next 9 blog entries to explain this.